ABCDE testn.
General guidelines used to assess a suspicious mole for melanoma.
Factors evaluated include asymmetry, irregular border, uneven color,
change in diameter and elevation of the mole.

adjuvant therapyn. (AD-juh-vent)
Treatment given after the primary therapy to increase the chances
of a cure. Adjuvant therapy for cancer may include chemotherapy,
radiation therapy or hormone therapy.

anestheticn.
Any drug that causes unconsciousness or a loss of general sensation

biopsyn. (BY-op-see)
Removal of a sample of tissue from a living person for laboratory
examination

chemotherapyn.
Use of chemical agents in the treatment or control of disease or
mental illness

clinical trialn.
Study designed to answer specific questions about vaccines or new
therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials
(also called medical research or research studies) are used to determine
whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully
conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find
treatments that work.

Once researchers test new therapies or procedures in the laboratory
and get promising results, they begin planning clinical trials.
New therapies are tested on people only after laboratory and animal
studies show promising results.

computed tomography (CT) scann.
An X-ray procedure in which the X-ray beam moves around the body,
taking pictures from different angles. These images are combined
by a computer to produce a detailed cross-sectional picture of the
inside of the body.

controln.
A control is the standard by which experimental observations are
evaluated. In many clinical trials, one group of patients will be
given an experimental drug or treatment, while another group (the
control) is given either a standard treatment for the illness or
a placebo.

cytokinen. (SIE-toh-KINE)
Any of a class of immunoregulatory substances that are secreted
by cells of the immune system. Although cytokines are not really
different from hormones, the term tends to be used to describe substances
such as interleukins, lymphokines and several related signaling
molecules such as tumor necrosis factor and interferons.

DTIC-DOME® (dacarbazine)n. (da-CAR-ba-zeen)
Type of chemotherapy given as a treatment for some types of cancer,
especially melanomas

epidermisn. (eh-peh-DER-mis)
Thin outermost layer of skin. It is made up of several layers and
covers and protects the underlying dermis layer of connective tissue.

exclusion criterian.
When determining a patients eligibility for a clinical trial,
exclusion criteria describe those factors that, if present, would
disallow a candidates participation in the study. Common exclusion
criteria include other serious diseases, pregnancy and compromised
immunity.

five-year survival raten.
Describes the percentage of patients who live at least five years
after their cancer is diagnosed. Five-year relative survival rates
exclude patients dying of other diseases, which means that anyone
who died of another cause, such as heart disease, is not counted.

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immune systemn.
The body system, made up of many organs and cells, that defends
the body against infection, disease and foreign substances. The
term describes the interacting combination of all the bodys
ways of recognizing cells, tissues, objects and organisms that are
not part of itself, and initiating the immune response to fight
them

immunotherapyn.
Treatment of disease by stimulating the immune system. Also called
immune therapy, biological therapy, or biological response modifier
therapy.

incisional or excisional biopsyn.
Type of biopsy in which a surgeon cuts through the skin to remove
the entire mass (excisional biopsy) or a small part of a large tumor
(incisional biopsy).

inclusion criterian.
When determining a patients eligibility for a clinical trial,
inclusion criteria describe those factors that must be present in
order for a candidate to participate in the study.

informed consentn.
A process in which a person learns key facts about a clinical trial
or medical procedure, including potential risks and benefits, before
deciding whether or not to participate in a study. Informed consent
continues throughout the trial.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)n.
Group of scientists, doctors, clergy and consumers at each health
care facility that participates in a clinical trial. IRBs are designed
to protect study participants. They review and must approve the
action plan for every clinical trial. They check to see that the
trial is well designed, does not involve undue risks, and includes
safeguards for patients.

interferonn. (in-ter-FEER-on)
Any of a family of glycoproteins derived from human cells that normally
has a role in fighting viral infections by preventing virus multiplication
in cells

interleukinn. (in-ter-LOO-kin)
Any of several secreted regulatory proteins that are members of
the family of cytokines (immune system chemicals) that affect functions
of specific cell types. Interleukins are produced by immune system
cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages and monocytes, and modulate
inflammation and immunity by regulating growth, mobility and differentiation
of lymphoid and other cells.

intravenous (IV)adj.
Used in administering fluids or medicines into the veins

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lymph noden.
Any of the small, bean-shaped organs located throughout the lymphatic
system. The lymph nodes contain the immune system cells lymphocytes,
which can trap cancer cells or bacteria that are traveling through
the body in lymph.

lymph systemn.
Network of vessels that transport fluid, fats, proteins and lymphocytes
to the bloodstream as lymph, and remove microorganisms and other
debris from tissues. Also called lymphatic system.

malignantadj.
Tending to infiltrate, metastasize and become progressively worse

melaninn. (MEL-uh-nin)
Dark brown or black pigment that is naturally present to varying
degrees in the skin, hair, eyes, fur or feathers of people and animals,
as well as in plants

melanocyten. (meh-LAN-o-site)
Type of cell in the skin that produces the pigment melanin that
gives skin its natural color. Melanoma skin cancer occurs in the
melanocytes.

metastasisn. (meh-TA-sta-sis)
Transfer of disease from one organ or part to another not directly
connected with it. It may be due either to the transfer of pathogenic
microorganisms or to transfer of cells, as in malignant tumors.
The capacity to metastasize is a characteristic of all malignant
tumors.

mutationn. (myoo-TAY-shun)
Change in a gene or chromosome resulting in a new trait or characteristic
that can be inherited. Mutation can be a source of beneficial genetic
variation, or it can be neutral or harmful in effect.

outpatientn.
A patient who receives treatment at a hospital without staying overnight

Phase I, Phase II, Phase IIIn.

Phase I trial

The first step in testing a new treatment in humans. These studies
test the best way to give a new treatment (for example, by mouth,
intravenous infusion, or injection) and the best dose. The dose
is usually increased a little at a time in order to find the highest
dose that does not cause harmful side effects. Because little is
known about the possible risks and benefits of the treatments being
tested, Phase I trials usually include only a small number of study
volunteers.

Phase II trial

In cancer studies, a Phase II trial is a study to test whether
a new treatment has an anticancer effect (for example, whether it
shrinks a tumor or improves blood test results) and whether it works
against a certain type of cancer.

Phase III trial

A study to compare the results of people taking a new treatment
with the results of people taking the standard treatment (for example,
which group has better survival rates or fewer side effects). Phase
III trials may include hundreds of people and are designed to prove
the safety and efficacy of a new treatment.

placebon. (pluh-SEE-bo)
Inactive substance that has no treatment value

primary therapyn.
First-line treatment, or the first type of therapy used to treat
a disease

protocoln.
A protocol is a study plan on which a clinical trial is based. The
plan is carefully designed to safeguard the health of the participants
as well as answer specific research questions. A protocol describes
what types of people may participate in the trial; the schedule
of tests, procedures, medications, and dosages; and the length of
the study. While in a clinical trial, participants following a protocol
are seen regularly by the research staff to monitor their health
and to determine the safety and effectiveness of their treatment

punch biopsyn.
Biopsy technique that involves cutting and removing a disk of tissue

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radiation therapyn.
Treatment of disease using high energy radiation such as X-rays

randomizedadj.
Describes an experiment or clinical trial in which animal or human
subjects are assigned by chance to separate groups that compare
different treatments. In a randomized clinical trial, neither the
researchers nor the participants can choose which group. Using chance
to assign people to groups means that the groups will be similar
and that the treatments they receive can be compared objectively.
At the time of the trial, it is not known which treatment is best.

Learn more about a randomized Phase III clinical trial of an experimental
treatment for metastatic melanoma.

recurv.
To happen or appear once again or repeatedly

re-excisionn.
In the surgical treatment of melanoma, re-excision is a procedure
performed when a skin biopsy confirms the presence of melanoma at
a site that has already undergone simple excision (surgical removal
of the tumor and a margin of normal-looking skin). The re-excision
removes even more normal-looking skin from the affected site so
that the surrounding tissue can be examined to ensure that no cancer
cells remain in the skin.

remissionn.
Complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of disease
in response to treatment. The period during which a disease is under
control. A remission is not necessarily a cure.

shave biopsyn.
Biopsy technique performed with a surgical blade or a razor blade.
This technique is often used for lesions that are elevated above
the skin level or confined to the upper layers of skin, or to protrusions
of lesions from more internal sites.

side effectn.
Problem that occurs when treatment affects tissues or organs other
than the ones meant to be affected by the treatment. Common side
effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting,
decreased blood cell counts, hair loss and mouth sores.

simple excisionn.
In the surgical treatment of melanoma, simple excision is a procedure
in which the tumor, along with a margin of normal-looking skin,
is cut out.

skin graftn.
Piece of skin taken from part of the body and used to replace lost
or damaged skin

stagen.
The extent to which cancer has spread from its original site to
other parts of the body. Stage is usually denoted by a number from
stage 0 or I (least severe) to stage IV (more advanced).

standard of caren.
A currently accepted and widely used treatment for a certain disease,
based on the results of past research. Also called standard therapy.

sun protection factor (SPF)n.
Degree to which a sun cream, lotion, screen or block provides protection
for the skin against the sun

Temodar® (temozolomide) n. (teh-mo-ZO-lo-mide)
Type of chemotherapy given as a treatment for some types of cancer,
especially melanomas

tumorn.
Abnormal uncontrolled growth or mass of body cells, which may be
malignant or benign, and has no physiological function

ultraviolet (UV)adj.
Relating to or producing electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths
from about 5 nanometers to 400 nanometers, which is beyond the violet
end of the visible light spectrum. Ultraviolet radiation refers
to radiation with ultraviolet wavelengths. Radiation of this kind
is a component of sunlight and is the light that makes exposed skin
become darker.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)n.
The branch of the US Department of Health and Human Services charged
with ensuring the safety and effectiveness of new drugs before they
can go on the market. The FDA relies on the results of clinical
trials that provide reliable information about a treatments
effects on humans to decided whether or not new drugs should be
approved.

When considering a new drug, the FDA faces two challenges: first,
making sure that the drug is safe and effective before it is made
widely available; and second, ensuring that drugs that show promise
are made available as quickly as possible to the people they might
help. To deal with these challenges, the FDA maintains a rigorous
review process.

vaccinen.
Preparation containing immune-stimulating agents that is administered
to trigger an immune response against a specific disease or infection

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X-rayn.
High-energy electromagnetic radiation. It has a wavelength between
0.01 and 10 nanometers, which is between gamma rays and ultraviolet
light, and can penetrate solids and ionize gas.

Also, a type of irradiation used for imaging and diagnostic purposes
that uses energy beams of very short wavelengths to generate images
on photographic film. Dense parts of the body, such as bones, absorb
the X-rays and consequently appear as lighter regions on the developed
film. It is the most common form of imaging technique used in clinical
practice worldwide.

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Sponsored by Antigenics,
a biotechnology company that develops cancer vaccines and other
treatments for serious illnesses.